A record breaker isn’t always someone who gets a gold medal or completely defies all expectations. Sometimes, the record that’s being broken is simply just trying to achieve something that no one else has achieved before. And yesterday, Faith Kipyegon did just that.
Inside Stade Sébastien Charléty, the world watched as the Kenyan distance icon did what few believed possible: she ran the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman, clocking 4:06.42. The achievement stands as a defiant, thrilling declaration that the boundaries of women’s distance running are still being rewritten. “It was tough, but I am so proud of what I’ve done, and I’m going to keep on trying, dreaming and pursuing big goals,” stated Kipyegon of her attempt. “I want to show the world, and especially women, that you have to dare to try.”
And daring to try she did. The event, which was called Breaking 4, was backed by Nike, a longstanding partnership that has lasted 16 years, and a brand that champions those who are trying to push the limits of human potential. “I will never forget this moment and watching Faith chase her dreams,” said NIKE, Inc. President & CEO Elliott Hill. “This is why Nike exists: to serve athletes like Faith. History was made today, with Faith shattering her world record time.”
After months of preparation, Kipyegon worked alongside Nike to ensure her training and conditions were ideal, taking everything from apparel to footwear to location to the weather into account. Nike harnessed the full force of its sports science and design innovation to develop a suite of speed-focused, custom gear aimed at maximizing her performance. This included a groundbreaking Nike Fly Suit with advanced aerodynamic engineering, a revolutionary 3D-printed Nike FlyWeb Bra, and ultra-light Nike Victory Elite FK spikes tailored precisely to her biomechanics.
This extraordinary collaboration, driven by Kipyegon’s relentless commitment and supported by Nike’s world-class innovation team, helped showcase her rare talent, the strength of her long-standing partnership with Nike, and the brand’s unwavering belief in pushing the boundaries of human potential through a holistic, athlete-first approach. “Watching her historic performance and pursuit to redefine what’s possible will inspire generations of athletes to dream bigger,” explains Hill. “I’m proud of the expertise, innovation, design, creativity and overall support that our teams provided to make the impossible possible.”
Although she was just shy of hitting the 4-minute mark, Kipyegon’s commitment to achieving the impossible is what matters. The possibilities of what the human body can do — and what athletes can achieve — is still being discovered, particularly through Nike’s commitment to science-backed innovation for every body. “At Nike, we believe that athletes can accomplish the extraordinary, and Faith proved it today,” stated Amy Montagne, President, Nike. “Our partnership with Faith for this moonshot reflects the power of teamwork, bringing together experts across sport science, innovation and design to push the boundaries of what is possible. Faith didn’t just make history, she proved the future of sport is faster, stronger and more inclusive than ever.”
Following the run, Kipyegon said it best herself: she dared to try. “Breaking4 was about showing the world that we have to push ourselves. This one was for all the young girls and women out there to show that you have to believe in yourself in everything you do […] It’s not if, it’s when.”
Follow the Breaking 4 project on nike.com. Watch Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile now and check out her collection with Nike at nike.com.
images. courtesy of Nike
words. Kelsey Barnes
